Edifice Announces its “40 UP” Program Supporting Community Organizations

After 40 years of corporate giving, general contractor Edifice encourages other businesses to invest in charitable and community organizations.

At a time when community organizations increasingly depend upon corporate support to fund their missions, Charlotte-based general contractor Edifice, Inc. commemorates its fortieth anniversary with a re-commitment to lifting up the community.

Launching its “40 UP” program, Edifice committed to a series of gifts to charitable and community organizations totaling $400,000. The company hopes this program will inspire other businesses to prioritize philanthropic giving.

Edifice interviewed past recipients of the firm’s financial and material support to quantify whether there was a significant “multiplier effect” to its participation. The answer was a resounding “yes” as demonstrated in these two case studies from recipients of Edifice’s past giving.

Project 658 serves a population of parents faced with the often-impossible task of paying for childcare while furthering their educations or skills. Among its other services, Project 658 provides free childcare and after-school care for kids. Edifice’s gift of $10,000 funded both programs’ direct costs (excluding staffing) for 70 children. Executive Director Dustin Swinehart reported, “It’s a safe assumption that if families in our two programs had to pay for childcare at a normal price point, the $10,000 Edifice gift yielded the equivalent of $102,000 in valued services.”

Multiplier effect, indeed. Sometimes the multiplier effect isn’t as easily quantified. This is the case for Covenant Day School’s ContainIt program, where Edifice has made a long-term financial commitment as well as mentoring students.

ContainIt transforms shipping containers into houses for residents of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. In addition to providing financial support to ContainIt, Edifice superintendent Andy Simmons is actively involved in providing guidance and industry knowledge, as well as is encouraging Edifice business partners to donate time and materials.

Student Katy Snider is on the ContainIt management team who benefited from Edifice CEO and President Eric Laster’s personal mentorship. Eric taught her how to make “a big ask” of a business for a multi-year financial commitment. “Now I feel more capable of asking questions and speaking without worrying what others are thinking about me personally,” says the high school junior.

Giving back is nothing new to Edifice. Non-profits such as Crisis Assistance Ministry, YMCA, Alexander Youth Network, and many others have benefited from Edifice’s giving. According to CEO and President Eric Laster, “Edifice benefits from a healthy community. A healthy Charlotte is good for Edifice. We all need to pitch in.”

According to Laster, 40 UP was inspired by the philanthropic leadership of the Sherrill family and its SteelFab business, the late John Crosland, and the Leon Levine Foundation, all of which have “advanced the Charlotte region’s quality of life beyond measure.”

The 40 UP program is expected to continue well beyond the fortieth anniversary. Follow Edifice on social media through the hashtag #40UP to see the transformative outcomes of corporate giving.